Peacebuilding in post-war situations: Lessons for Sudan

This report examines lessons from peacebuilding efforts during the last decade or so that are relevant to the current challenges in Sudan. While there is an emphasis on governance interventions, it is argued more generally that three factors will be crucial for building peace in Sudan. First, the peace agreement beween the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement must be transformed into a deal that can be "owned" not only be the parties that signed the agreement, but also by those who did not take part in the talks, including civil society and the Sudanese population at large. Second, sustained and focused international attention will be critical to maintain the momentum of the peace process. As the reality of pecebuilding lies in power and politics, interventions by outsiders must also be sensitive to the overall politics of the process. Third, regional conflict in the Horn of Africa has more often than not been the by-product of internal conflict. To sustain the framework of peace in Sudan, regional states must be convinced that peace in Sudan is a collective good that can reduce cross-border problems, ranging from ideologies and refugees to the export of arms and violence. A main determinant will be the approaches by the Sudanese parties themselves towards neighbouring states.